Reports in Turkey claim Newcastle United are one of a number of English clubs to speak with Senegal captain Kara Mbodji’s agent about a move.

The £10m-rated centre-back plays for Anderlecht, and has 56 caps for Senegal, but agent Ediz Balkan says he “six or seven” Premier League clubs are interested in signing him and Turkish-football claims the Magpies are one.

“Kara has attracted a lot of interest from Premier League sides, we held talks with representatives from those clubs in London last Sunday,” said Balkan, who is Turkish. “There are six or seven clubs from the Premier League in talks but I can’t reveal the offers right now.

Senegal's Kara Mbodji (Image: Getty Images)

“There is also interest from Italy and Spain while the big three in Turkey have also held talks."

Leicester City, Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas are other clubs credited by the report with an interest in the 28-year-old.

Palace, then managed by Sam Allardyce, were reported to have had a £10m bid rejected in January.

The 6ft 4in Mbodj can play as a holding midfielder, but has been used at centre-back since moving to Belgium in 2013. He missed his country’s World Cup play-off against South Africa through suspension.

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Newcastle were said to have scouted him at previous club Genk, before Rafael Benitez took over as manager.

What budget the Spaniard will have to work with in January will depend on whether a proposed takeover of Mike Ashley’s shareholding is completed or close by then, but centre-back would appear to be a low priority for the Magpies. Having his client linked with them should do Balkan’s chances of negotiating a good deal for him no harm, however.